#Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag

So yes, I know it’s now the end of July and I am just now posting this tag, but better late than never right? I wasn't tagged by anyone, but I liked reviewing my books from the first part of the year. Let’s just jump right in.

1. BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2019?
This is so hard to narrow down to just the one, so I figured I would list the five books I have given 5 stars to so far this year.
* Where the Crawdad’s Sing – Delia Ownes
* Educated – Tara Westover
* Sometimes I Lie – Alice Feeney
* Sorcery of Thorns – Margaret Rogerson
* Otherearth – Jason Segel, Kristen Miller

2. BEST SEQUEL YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2019?
I have only read a handful of sequels so far this year. My favorite has to be Otherearth by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller. I listened to this one on audiobook with my husband and we can’t wait for the next book in the series.

3. NEW RELEASE YOU HAVEN’T READ YET, BUT WANT TO?
There are so many that I have yet to read with such a lack of motivation and time this year. I am hoping to increase my reading time and get to all those books I have sitting on my shelves. I do know I will get to some new releases too.

4. MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF 2019?
The Toll by Neal Shusterman is my most anticipated book for the rest of the year. I loved the first two in the Scythe trilogy and look forward to this last installment!

Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan is also on the top of my list. I loved Girls of Paper and Fire once I got into it.

5. BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT?
Aurora Rising by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman has to be my biggest disappointment. I was so hyped up for this one after the Illuminae files and everyone’s reviews that I thought I would love it. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me.

6. BIGGEST SURPRISE?
The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street by Susan Jane Gilman was the biggest surprise to me. I had never heard about this book, but it was recommended by a friend and fellow yogi. I really enjoyed it and suggest you give it a try!

7. FAVORITE NEW AUTHOR?
Margaret Rogerson is a new favorite for me. I look forward to picking up An Enchantment of Ravens.

8. NEWEST FICTIONAL CRUSH?
So, I don’t really crush on fictional characters so I don’t have an answer for this one. I am married to my amazing husband and that is my only crush (gasp I know)!

9. NEWEST FAVORITE CHARACTER?
I don’t know if I have one to be honest.

10. BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY?
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris and The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah both made me cry. I am an emotional reader and get very invested in characters in my books. If you’ve not read either of those, do it, what are you waiting for?

11. BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY?
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang definitely made me leave feeling happy. It was a steamy, romantic, own-voices book that left one feeling satisfied. Remember though… this is an Adult book not Young Adult.

12. FAVORITE BOOK TO MOVIE ADAPTATION YOU SAW THIS YEAR?
So I don’t go to movies too often and I don’t think I have seen any new ones this year. However, I have re-watched Harry Potter and that is of course a great book to movie adaptation (even with the changes and missing content).

13. FAVORITE REVIEW YOU’VE WRITTEN THIS YEAR?
I am a bit behind on reviews and blogging in general. I am hoping to really pick this up for the rest of the year.

14. MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU’VE BOUGHT (OR RECEIVED) SO FAR THIS YEAR?
Crown of Feathers by Nicki Pau-Preto is one of the prettiest books I’ve gotten this year. I love all of the reds. This is still a book I need to read!

15. WHAT BOOKS DO YOU NEED TO READ BY THE END OF THIS YEAR?
Can I list them all? I need to read so many books that I have back listed, but the new shiny books are so enticing!

Have you done this tag? If so, please link below so I can check it out! Also, if you've read any of these books let me know what your thoughts were in the comments.

Adventure On, 
Amanda

Review: Sorcery of Thorns

Title: Sorcery of Thorns
Author: Margaret Rogerson
Series: Stand-a-lone
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: June 4, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal
Format: Physical (OwlCrate)
Length: 456 pages
Rating: 5/5 Stars

“Knowledge always has the potential to be dangerous. It is a more powerful weapon than any sword or spell.”

Goodreads Overview (4.28/5 stars)
ll sorcerers are evil. Elisabeth has known that as long as she has known anything. Raised as a foundling in one of Austermeer’s Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up among the tools of sorcery—magical grimoires that whisper on shelves and rattle beneath iron chains. If provoked, they transform into grotesque monsters of ink and leather. She hopes to become a warden, charged with protecting the kingdom from their power.

Then an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire. Elisabeth’s desperate intervention implicates her in the crime, and she is torn from her home to face justice in the capital. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious demonic servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them.

As her alliance with Nathaniel grows stronger, Elisabeth starts to question everything she’s been taught—about sorcerers, about the libraries she loves, even about herself. For Elisabeth has a power she has never guessed, and a future she could never have imagined.

Click to view on Instagram. 

First Thoughts

Growing up in a library and full of adventures!? Count me 100% in!

Short Review
I didn’t read Margaret’s other book Enchantment of Ravens, but after this one, it’s headed straight to the top of my TBR pile! This unique story sends the main characters on crazy adventures involving books, sorcerers, and monsters alike. I loved all of the twists and turns that this story took! The hate-to-love romance was also a great side theme to the story.

Characters
Elisabeth Scrivener is the heroin of this story. The one that belongs to the library. She was left abandoned as a young girl and grew up living with the enchanted books (grimoires) that speak to her and hold the secrets of sorcery. She is training to become a warden of these books to protect the kingdom from their power. Elisabeth begins to question all that she knows as true and this adventure takes her on a wild ride.

Nathaniel Thorn is a mysterious dangerous sorcerer that becomes a partner of Elisabeth’s as she is thrown into a multi-century old conspiracy. He’s a rich sorcerer known for his family’s dark magic of necromancy. Together they have to embark on a dangerous adventure to save the kingdom.

Cover: 9 (OwlCrate)
Plot: 9
Characters: 9
World Building: 8
Pacing: 8
Writing: 10
Ending: 9
Average Total: 9/10

I absolutely loved Margaret Rogerson’s whimsical and fast paced writing of this story. Although a well-known fantasy story plot, she did so in such a different manner than I have ever ready before. All the stars for this one!

Moral of the Story/Take-away
Just because you grow up differently or in a different environment than most, doesn’t mean you don’t have your own special abilities. You don’t have to be born rich, have everything you can image, be popular, or the prettiest person in the world to become everything you wish to be. Don’t ever give up on your dreams and remember to keep shinning! I look forward to reading Margaret Rogerson’s other book!

Continuing Series: N/A

Recommending: Yes

Adventure On,
Amanda

Review: Renegades

Title: Renegades

Author: Marissa Meyer

Series: Renegades #1

Published: November 7, 2017

Genre: YA Fantasy, Science Fiction

Format: Audiobook

Length: 556 pages/16 hours 58 minutes

Rating:  4/5 Stars


“Hero or villain, all prodigies were powerful. All prodigies were dangerous.”

Goodreads Overview (4.16/5 stars)

Secret Identities. Extraordinary Powers. She wants vengeance. He wants justice.

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies — humans with extraordinary abilities — who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone... except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice — and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.

Click image to view on Instagram.

First Thoughts

Its superhero meets political chaos.

Short Review

I was extremely hesitant to pick up Renegades because I couldn’t get into Marissa Meyer’s Lunar Chronicles. But, I was pleasantly surprised with this super hero marvels kind of story. I really enjoyed the politics that played throughout the book with the “good” vs. “evil” aspect and the government control.

Nova grew up trusting in the Renegades to be there when she and her family needed them most. The Renegades are prodigies, humans with extraordinary abilities, which provided peace where chaos had taken over after the crash of society. They are the symbol of hope and courage. However, Nova has a reason to hate them and has set out for revenge. Adrian, a Renegade, believes in justice, the peace of the community, and he believes in Nova for who he thinks she is.

Characters

The characters were very unique with their own abilities and their specific roles in society. I enjoyed the team effort stance and how they all worked towards a common goal whether they were on the Renegades or the Anarchists. Each character we get introduced to were well developed and we actually get to know them personally. There are so many diverse characters (color, disability, sexuality). I loved how they were not necessarily good or bad… some of the good guys were bad and some of the bad guys were really good. The motives of each character were questioned throughout the book and kept me wanting to know more.

Cover: 8

Plot: 8

Characters: 9

World Building: 8

Pacing: 7

Writing: 7

Ending: 9

Average Total: 8/10

The reason I didn’t give this book a full 5 star rating really was the pacing. The beginning was slow, like really slow, but the last half really picked up. I am not sure I would have read the whole book physically as I was stuck at the start, but the audio book was a great option so I could do other things. It did take me a bit longer to finish this one as the first 2/3 of the book didn’t hook me. The last third really brought the rating up from a 3 star to a 4 star for me.

Moral of the Story/Take-away

Just because you are labeled as one thing, doesn’t mean that you are that thing. You can change who you are and what you do at a moments notice.

Continuing Series: Yes

Recommending: Yes

Adventure On,
Amanda

The Book Junkie Trials - July 2019

I know I have been absent for almost a year(insert eye roll), but I am hoping to jump back on the book blog and bookstagram train! I'd love if you gave me a follow at www.instagram.com/kanksbooklife. Without further ado, let's get to The Book Junkie Trials!

What is The Book Junkie Trials Read-a-Thon?
The Book Junkie Trials is a month-long read-a-thon hosted by Rachael Marie Book Junkie. Per her YouTube Announcement, "The Book Junkie Trials is a Month-long Readathon & Competitive event in July, for all the bookish community, with 2 ways to play via The Quest for The Bookie Grail &/or through the Competitive Championship Trials".

How does The Book Junkie Trials work?
As mentioned above, the read-a-thon is taking place the entire month of July 2019 and has two ways to participate. In addition, there will be micro-challenges throughout the month to earn your team extra points. 

1. The Quest for The Bookie Grail is a team challenge. There are four different teams that you could become part of: Bards, Outlaws, Magi, or Scribes. You can either take the Personality Team Quiz created by the fabulous Rachael or you can CHOOSE which team you'd like to be a part of. Each team has it's own set of challenges and quest locations that must be completed in order to earn the earn The Bookie Grail. Most of the read-a-thon announcements will be completed via Twitter. Make sure you add your team name to your display name (i.g.: Amanda #MAGE).

2. The Competitive Championship Trials is a completely new level of adventure and challenge! You complete your team's quest for The Bookie Grail and then complete the other team's challenges too! There is a special prize for completing this challenge for the 2020 Read-aThon. 

Creator, Co-Hosts, Important Links
Creator & Royal Majesty, Rachael Marie (YouTube & Twitter)
Baroness of Bards, Riley Marie (YouTube & Twitter)
Countess of Outlaws, The Psycho Nyx (YouTube & Twitter)
Marquess of Magi, Becca and the Books (YouTube & Twitter)
Dutches of Scribes, Sophisticated Books (YouTube & Twitter)

Personality Team Quiz
Book Tracker
Full Quest Map
All the Challenges (Use for Competitive Championship Trials)
Google Drive with all the Goods

My Team: The Magi
This is the team that I received when taking the Personality Team Quiz. I wasn't surprised and was glad as I am looking forward to the challenges. Plus, I get to start 3 days earlier.

Each team has their own individual map as well to go along with the challenges. I am impressed with all of the work that has been put into this fabulous read-a-thon. 

Finally, we move onto my TBR for this tremendous event! As declared by Her Majesty, there are four unique teams and one shared quest - The Book Trails. The quest MUST be completed in order. I am excited to take on this adventure. 

The Mage Challenges
*Orc Grove - Read a book that is gruesome, gory, or gritty. For this challenge I chose Wicked Saints by Emily Duncan
*Ol' Pirate Cove - Read a book that takes place, at least in part, at sea. For this challenge I chose The Lifeboat Clique by Kathy Parks. 
*Glimmer - Fit in a book with a beautiful or colorful cover. For this challenge I chose Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson. 
*Dragon Isle - Read a book that features dragons. For this challenge I chose Dragonsong by Ann McCaffrey. This is also being used for my weakness "One of their spells went awry, and now they are forced to read a book outside of their comfort zone".
*Bookie Grail - Read the group book: Stardust by Neil Gaiman. I've decided to listen to this one on Audiobook as the rest of the books will be physical copies. 

If you are participating, please comment below your link and I'd love to follow you!

Adventure On,
Amanda

O.W.Ls - Magical Readathon Wrap-Up

Hello friends. I was completely late to the party with the #magiacalreadathn hosted by BookRoast. If you don't know what I am talking about check out this YouTube video explaining the event that was hosted in April 2018. I didn't hear about it until the middle of June and decided I would participate in order to take my N.E.W.T.S. in August with everyone else. 

That being said, I was able to sit and finish 11 of the 12 classes for the O.W.L.S. Here is my wrap-up:

Ancient Runes - A book with a symbol on the cover
     Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda - Becky Albertalli
Arithmacy - Read a book with a number on the cover or in the title
     I've Got Your Number - Sophie Kinsella
Astronomy - Read a science fiction book
     Thunder Head - Neal Shusterman
Care of Magical Creatures - A book that includes magical creatures
     The Keeper - David Baldacci
Charms- Read a fantasy book
     Accidental Thief - C.J. Davis
Defense Against the Dark Arts - Read a book about a club or secret society
     Beauty Queens - Libba Bray
Divination - Read a book featuring a prophecy
     Salt & Storm - Kendall Kulper
Herbology - Read a book with a nature related word in the title
     Storm - Gupreet Kaur Sidhu
History of Magic - Read a historical fiction
     Invention of Hugo Cabret - Brian Selznick
Muggle Studies - Read a non-fiction book
     The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up - Marie Kondo
Potions - Read a book with/about alchemy
     Accidental Warrior (DNF as of end of July)
Transfiguration - Read a book with transfiguration/shape-shifting or a book with a cat on the cover
     Upside-Down Magic - Sarah Mylnowski

Grading Scale:
O (outstanding) = sit and read at least 5 OWLs
E (exceeds expectations) - sit and read at least 3 OWLs
A (acceptable) - sit and read at least 2 OWLs
P (poor) - sit and read 1 OWL
D (dreadful) - sit but not finish any OWLs
T (troll) - didn't show

Did you participate and are you participating in the next Magical Readathon? I can't wait to show you my TBR for my N.E.W.T.S. I'll share that closer to the beginning of August!

Adventure On, 
Amanda

#reversereadathon July 2018 Recap

Hello friends. I attempted to participate in the new readathon hosted by Dewey's Read-a-thon. I was excited to partake, but didn't have very much time to participate. I spent most of Saturday at an event out of town. However, I was still able to do some reading and some listening during the readathon that was held from 7 p.m. CT Friday to 7 p.m. CT Saturday. Here's my #reversereadathon wrap up: 

Total time: 6.5 hours
Total pages: 377
Total # books: Final Draft (3/5) and Kiss the Bride (4/5)

I had so much fun on twitter with the group of readers. I am excited to reignite my twitter account! Add me :)

Adventure On, 
Amanda

Review: The Woman in the Window

Title: The Woman in the Window
Author: A.J. Finn
Series: Stand Alone
Published: 02/02/2018
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Format: Audiobook
Length: 13 hrs 43 min (449 pages)
Rating: 5/5 stars (GR 4.01)

"Alcohol is the anesthesia by which we endure the operation of life."

Overview

Anna Fox, a child psychologist, has lived an intense past few months. She experiences an accident and is unable to leave her home do to her agoraphobia (An anxiety disorder characterized by fear of certain places and situations that the person believes is difficult to escape from such as open spaces and public transport.) Her husband and child left, although she still speaks with them, she spends her days drinking wine and watching here neighbors through her camera or watching black and white films. She has a super attractive tenant living thin the basement and new neighbors that are moving in. One day she witnesses a crime and struggles to get people to believe her, including the police.

TW: agoraphobia, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, murder, death, grief

First Thoughts

Loved! Totally not what I was expecting.

Review

I loved this book. I was so engaged and couldn't stop until I knew what was going to happen. Are the neighbors really all they appear to be? The story kept me wondering most of the time.

Characters

Anna Fox is a child psychologist with demons of her own. At almost 40, she spends her days drinking and peeping on others. She is a complete hot mess for a lack of better terms. Is she who she thinks she is? Will she help herself while trying to help everyone else?

Ethan, the super cute neighbor boy, is so sweet and loving. He visits Anna soon after his family moved in next door and continues to try to build a relationship with her.

Moral of the Story/Take Away

My biggest takeaway from this book was taking care of yourself before you take care of others. Believe in yourself, even when others don't. And always remember, live your life before it's too late.


Adventure On,
Amanda

Review: Scythe

Title: Scythe
Author: Neal Shusterman
Series: Arc of a Scythe #1
Published: 11/22/2016
Genre: YA Science Fiction > Dystopia
Format: e-book
Length: 448 pages
Rating: 5/5 stars

“Humanity is innocent; humanity is guilty, and both states are undeniably true.”

Goodreads Overview (4.35/5 stars)

Two teens are forced to murder—maybe each other—in the first in a chilling new series from Neal Shusterman, author of the New York Times bestselling Unwind dystology.

In a world where disease has been eliminated, the only way to die is to be randomly killed (“gleaned”) by professional reapers (“scythes”). Citra and Rowan are teenagers who have been selected to be scythe’s apprentices, and—despite wanting nothing to do with the vocation—they must learn the art of killing and come to understand the necessity of what they do.

Only one of them will be chosen as a scythe’s apprentice. And when it becomes clear that the winning apprentice’s first task will be to glean the loser, Citra and Rowan are pitted against one another in a fight for their lives.

First Thoughts

What would our world truly be like without natural death and government?

Review

Wow, just unbelievably wow. I haven’t read a book that drew me in like this in a long while. I couldn’t put it down. This book will leave you thinking long and hard about our current society and the changes we have gone through and continue to encounter. From the politics to the overall health of the environment, things we are debating on today, the author brings to light many thought provoking situations. I felt like the romance in this novel was well done and completely not insta-love. I was worried when I started that this would become more of a mushy romance vs. a true adventure novel. I was pleasantly surprised. As my first Neal Schusterman book, I am hooked. One of my new favorite books for sure!

Characters

Citra, the main female character, was very strong headed and motivated to be the best at everything. She went through enormous character development in this first novel and I look forward to seeing her change in the second.

Rowan, the main male character, was a middle of the road kid. The “lettuce” of the family that never really stood out or did anything spectacular. Rowan is just walking through life the best he can waiting for the day he may be gleaned.

Moral of the Story/Take-away

The moral of this book is to live your life instead of just making it through it. Take time to enjoy moments with family and friends. Remember that it’s not about what you have in life, but what memories and moments you create.

T5W: Anticipated Reads Through End of 2018

Top 5 Wednesday is a great Goodreads group with a new topic each week. Check out my original post for more information! This week's Top 5 Wednesday is Books You Want to Read Before the End of the Year. Halfway through the year, and it's time to evaluate our reading goals and take a look at our TBRs for the second half of the year!

1. Obsidio (The Illuminae Files #3) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
   I have owned this book for quite some time now, but I haven't been in the mood for this genre. I hope to get to it by the end of 2018.
2. Us Against You (Bear Town #2) by Fredrik Backman
   I absolutely loved Bear Town so I am excited to get my hands on the second book and see where the characters and the town end up.
3. The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
   I am getting married this year, so anything to do with weddings is on my list. I have hears so many great reviews on this one.
4. Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson
   This sounds so interesting to me. I know it's extremely popular right now and I usually wait for the hype to die down so I don't go into books with extremely high expectations.
5. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
   Another very popular book. This one sounds so different than anything I have read.

What books are you anticipating to read for the rest of 2018? Leave some suggestions down below. I'd love to check out your favorites!


Adventure On,
Amanda

Tag Tuesday: #daysoftheweekinbooks

Happy #tagtuesday! I was tagged on Instagram by @growing_bookshelf to do the #daysoftheweekinbooks tag. Let me know in the comments what your week looks like. 

• Monday (Too Lazy to Read): Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld – I started reading this, but I just couldn’t get myself to actually get through the book. I don’t know if I wasn’t interested, or if the 599 pages overwhelmed me and I became much too lazy to finish it.
• Tuesday (Emotionally Difficult): The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah – I shed a few tears throughout this book. I was prepared to be blown away by the story due to the hype of this book, which is very accurate. It deals with a difficult side of WWII and I think that anyone interested in historical fiction should read this one.
• Wednesday (DNF’d): Projekt 1065: A Novel of World War II by Alan Gratz and Dan Bittner – I struggled to get as far as I did through this one. The characters are never really developed and the writing is difficult for me to enjoy. I felt like the spy aspect was very overdone and I was just not feeling it.
• Thursday (Wouldn’t Recommend): After You by Jojo Moyes – I rated this one 2 stars. I just wasn’t impressed with it. I really enjoyed the first book in the series Me Before You, but this book just wasn’t necessary to me. I was excited and anxious to read the next installment, but I was sadly disappointed.
• Friday (Anticipated Release): Wildcard by Marie Lu – I enjoyed Warcross  and I am excited to see where Emika goes next. Warcross left on such a huge cliff hanger, that I NEED to know what happens next. (release date: September 18,2018)
• Saturday (Can’t Wait to Read): Never Fade (The Darkest Minds #2) by Alexandra Braken – I loved The Darkest Minds and I really want to see what happens in this world. The abilities are intriguing and the missions are intense. I just finished The Darkest Minds this year and I can’t wait to read the second one.
• Sunday (Didn’t Want to End): Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling – Now this might seem cliché, but I honestly wish we could get another story in this world. I know we keep getting spin offs, but I’d love to see more of Hogwarts or even the other schools. I just really miss this world. This is the only book/series I have re-read multiple times.

Adventure On,
Amanda